Matt Sheehan Personal Expertise Statement One of my talents that I have developed to a high degree would be my ability to climb rocks. Whether they are artificial rocks in a gym or rocks formed out of the earth itself, I enjoy climbing them. This activity includes not only the physical aspect of climbing at up to 120 degree angles, but also includes an extensive knowledge of knots, ropes, and safety. The basic procedure of climbing outside is a bit more involved than climbing inside. To begin a climb, I first must tie off the ropes to the top of the mountain and hang it off the edge. This step involves looking for the right anchors, such as trees or solid objects to attach the rope too. Next comes the specifics of climbing, which is the main area of my skill that I have mastered through practice. On the face of the rock I know what to look for, from the smallest hand holds to cracks running along the rock just large enough to hang on too. This skill is all about planning where my hands and feet will go, short and long range, with a goal in mind to reach the top.
The ability to rock climb has come naturally to me, but should be attributed to my well roundedness as a kid. Being a kid who played many different sports, I was able to keep my muscles in use in a wide range; this is essential in rock climbing because there are times when I need to grab a hand hold far away from where my feet are planted. To do this requires muscles to stabilize myself such as core strength. The main way that I developed my skill was through the process of watching others climb and climbing myself. I learned all of my knowledge about safety and ropes from a class offered through the AMC where we were taught how to set up top ropes and belay. My talent feels natural to me, it came to me ever since I started climbing and keeps growing every time I climb. Climbing runs in the family and it runs in my veins.
Although I had never gone rock climbing when I chose my “extreme summer camp”, going to the rock gym was a must! I was around 10, when I went with my summer camp to the rock gym for the day and I had an amazing experience! Unfortunately I was not able to go again until I was 18, at which time I expressed my interest to my dad who said he knows a friend who goes every week. The day was set and we went off to go to the gym where I met some of her climbing buddies. One man, Ronnie, specifically really helped us and taught me how to belay and get climbing. He recommended to me the AMC rock climbing training and my father and I signed up soon after. After this second time at the gym, I really found this to be an adrenaline rush and a great sense of accomplishment when getting to the top of a climb (not to mention a work out!). I went on to complete the class and invest in my own climbing equipment which allows me to go climbing whenever and wherever I want.
Even though I did not have a formal teacher in an establishment such as a school, I did find my friend Ronnie to be a teacher and a motivator to me in my rock climbing adventures. He was the one who really got me on the path to climbing knowledge by pushing me to go through the AMC training. To him, much credit is due, but it is also to do many others such as my dad for contributing financially, and even to fellow climbers who I watched and learned from. What they all gave me was knowledge passed down; which combined with my own personalized style of climbing, forms the skill that is my own. For me, there is freedom in the climb and also one amazing view at the top.
Personal Expertise Statement
One of my talents that I have developed to a high degree would be my ability to climb rocks. Whether they are artificial rocks in a gym or rocks formed out of the earth itself, I enjoy climbing them. This activity includes not only the physical aspect of climbing at up to 120 degree angles, but also includes an extensive knowledge of knots, ropes, and safety.
The basic procedure of climbing outside is a bit more involved than climbing inside. To begin a climb, I first must tie off the ropes to the top of the mountain and hang it off the edge. This step involves looking for the right anchors, such as trees or solid objects to attach the rope too. Next comes the specifics of climbing, which is the main area of my skill that I have mastered through practice. On the face of the rock I know what to look for, from the smallest hand holds to cracks running along the rock just large enough to hang on too. This skill is all about planning where my hands and feet will go, short and long range, with a goal in mind to reach the top.
The ability to rock climb has come naturally to me, but should be attributed to my well roundedness as a kid. Being a kid who played many different sports, I was able to keep my muscles in use in a wide range; this is essential in rock climbing because there are times when I need to grab a hand hold far away from where my feet are planted. To do this requires muscles to stabilize myself such as core strength. The main way that I developed my skill was through the process of watching others climb and climbing myself. I learned all of my knowledge about safety and ropes from a class offered through the AMC where we were taught how to set up top ropes and belay. My talent feels natural to me, it came to me ever since I started climbing and keeps growing every time I climb. Climbing runs in the family and it runs in my veins.
Although I had never gone rock climbing when I chose my “extreme summer camp”, going to the rock gym was a must! I was around 10, when I went with my summer camp to the rock gym for the day and I had an amazing experience! Unfortunately I was not able to go again until I was 18, at which time I expressed my interest to my dad who said he knows a friend who goes every week. The day was set and we went off to go to the gym where I met some of her climbing buddies. One man, Ronnie, specifically really helped us and taught me how to belay and get climbing. He recommended to me the AMC rock climbing training and my father and I signed up soon after. After this second time at the gym, I really found this to be an adrenaline rush and a great sense of accomplishment when getting to the top of a climb (not to mention a work out!). I went on to complete the class and invest in my own climbing equipment which allows me to go climbing whenever and wherever I want.
Even though I did not have a formal teacher in an establishment such as a school, I did find my friend Ronnie to be a teacher and a motivator to me in my rock climbing adventures. He was the one who really got me on the path to climbing knowledge by pushing me to go through the AMC training. To him, much credit is due, but it is also to do many others such as my dad for contributing financially, and even to fellow climbers who I watched and learned from. What they all gave me was knowledge passed down; which combined with my own personalized style of climbing, forms the skill that is my own. For me, there is freedom in the climb and also one amazing view at the top.